Big Match Breakdown: Chelsea v Liverpool

Preview, odds and tips for Premier League

Chelsea and Liverpool renew rivalries at Stamford Bridge this evening, just three days after the pair last met at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.

The Blues edged that meeting 2-1 courtesy of Eden Hazard’s spectacular second-half goal. Will the Belgian make the difference again here? The Coral News Team have previewed the clash with a Big Match Breakdown.

Head-to-Head

Wednesday’s defeat extended Liverpool’s poor run in this fixture. The Reds have won just twice against Chelsea since May 2012. Nevertheless, head-to-heads between the pair tend to be tight. Only once in the last 11 match-ups have the teams been separated by more than a single goal.

The West Londoners edged last season’s clash at the Bridge 1-0 courtesy of Olivier Giroud’s sixth career goal against Liverpool.

Likely XIs

Both managers will make wholesale changes from the teams that lined up at Anfield in the week. That means a return for all the familiar star names. Maurizio Sarri is also expected to opt for Giroud instead of Alvaro Morata, while Gary Cahill could also start with Antonio Rudiger and Andres Christensen considered doubts.

Jurgen Klopp should stick with Naby Keita over Jordan Henderson in midfield, with Virgil van Dijk also expected to keep his place after overcoming a chest problem.

Key Battles

It’s difficult to split the two teams in terms of quality. Both have incredible talismans, top-class goalkeepers and a formidable forward line. But it’s the midfield where this game could be won and lost.

Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have more quality man for man than Keita, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner. If the Blues can survive Liverpool’s press, they boast enough technical ability in midfield and up-front to make their opponents pay. Expect the battle at full-back between Marcos Alonso and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cesar Azpilicueta and Andy Robertson to also be an intriguing affair.